As the world watches the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Catholic Church has called for prayers and peace for the people of Ukraine.
On Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis tweeted that he will be praying and fasting for Ukraine during this year’s Lent.
“Today we enter the time of Lent,” he said. “Our prayer and fasting will be a plea for peace in Ukraine, bearing in mind that peace in the world always begins with our conversion, following Christ.”
Across the North Shore, several Catholic Churches are turning their attention toward the war in Eastern Europe and have been reflecting through prayer and holding Mass for those affected by the war.
At St. Mary of the Sacred Heart Parish in Lynn, Father Brian Flynn said they will hold a special prayer service for the people of Ukraine on Sunday.
“We’re doing our regular masses at noon and then a prayer service,” Flynn said. “We are hoping to walk over to the common and we will probably put a rosary and offer reflection and then a prayer service. We hope people will wear blue and yellow.”
Flynn said they will continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and hold more prayer services in the future.
Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Lynnfield shared a quote from Pope Francis on Facebook on Feb. 25 that reads “May the Queen of Peace Protect the World from the Folly of War,” A banner that reads “Pray for Ukraine” is above the quote.
In Peabody, St. Adelaide Parish prayed for peace in Ukraine during its Feb. 27 Mass and will do the same this Sunday.
In Saugus, St. Margaret’s Church held a Quiet Holy Hour from 6-7 p.m. on Feb. 27. The Quiet Holy Hour is a time for attendees to reflect upon their thoughts and prayers during times when many people are suffering throughout the world.
The Catholic Collaborative offices in Saugus said it will continue to hold mass and prayers for those who have suffered throughout the war.
“We will hold more of these holy hours and we pray for the people of Ukraine who are suffering right now,” the office said.
St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Nahant and St. John the Evangelist in Swampscott are joining together in prayer and Mass for the people of Ukraine. The two are sister parishes and hold joint services at St. John the Evangelist in Swampscott. A spokesperson for St. Thomas Aquinas said they are “keeping Ukraine within our hearts, minds and prayers during this Mass.”
In Salem, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Church will hold a special vigil for Ukraine on Saturday at 6 p.m.
The Rev. James F. Morris Jr. said the church will continue to raise awareness as a part of the Ukrainian community in Salem.
“The church is far from being silent in the face of the threats and fears of violent conflict initiated by the Russian Federation,” said Morris Jr. “We can do no less than join those prayers for God’s providential care for all people on the planet and for the intervention of God’s wisdom to spare the world from another war.”
